IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2003

The veteran's surgery resulted in certain and foreseeable complications such as deformity of the chest wall, chronic pain, scoliosis, and loss of function due to pain. With resolution of reasonable doubt in her favor, she is entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from April 14, 2000. He contends that this rating does not adequately reflect the severity of his condition which limits his ability to travel with his wife.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the veteran did not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities being rated as totally disabling but not receiving compensation at the time of death.

The Board granted service connection for headaches, anal condyloma, a psychiatric disorder (manifested by mood swings, anxiety, night sweats, memory loss and fatigue), joint stiffness and chest/rib pain, and irritable bowel syndrome due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for IBS, the highest available rating under VA's disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including additional medical examinations and review of evidence. The appeal is currently remanded to allow for these actions.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various injuries and disorders. The case is now remanded for additional evidence collection and medical examinations.

The Board granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective from August 15, 1996. The veteran's IBS is considered secondary to his service-connected PTSD. There is no longer an issue of TDIU as the PTSD rating has resolved the claim.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for costochondritis of the right ribs is being remanded due to newly submitted evidence and missing VA treatment records. The RO must ensure all VCAA notice obligations have been satisfied, obtain the requested VA treatment records, and then review the claim again.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there was no medical evidence establishing a link to service.

The veteran's claim for an increase in her rating for irritable bowel syndrome from noncompensable to 10 percent has been denied. Her condition is currently rated as moderate.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, residuals of fractured right ribs, and liver disorder. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective December 4, 1997. The veteran is seeking an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchial asthma and irritable bowel syndrome, each with an initial evaluation of 10 percent. The RO is instructed to readjudicate the claims based on all evidence received since the January 23, 2002 Statement of the Case.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for irritable bowel syndrome and epicondylitis, right upper extremity as there is no evidence of severe symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is shown to have been productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates severe diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress since service. The Board finds an initial 30 percent rating for the service-connected irritable colon syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his service in the Persian Gulf.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and a respiratory disability have been granted. The claims for pelvic inflammatory disease, urinary tract infection, gastrointestinal disability, and left knee disability are pending and will be the subject of further review.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lower back disability, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, left foot swelling, PTSD, and irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.